St Andrew's in the Square

St Andrew's in the Square
Former names St. Andrew's Parish Church
General information
Type Church
Architectural style Georgian
Location Merchant City, Glasgow
Address St Andrew's Square
Coordinates 55°51′17.52″N 4°14′34.81″W / 55.8548667°N 4.2430028°W / 55.8548667; -4.2430028Coordinates: 55°51′17.52″N 4°14′34.81″W / 55.8548667°N 4.2430028°W / 55.8548667; -4.2430028
Construction started 1739
Completed 1756
Renovated 1998-2000
Client Tobacco Lords
Owner Glasgow Building Preservation Trust
Design and construction
Architect Allan Dreghorn
Main contractor Mungo Naismith
Renovating team
Awards and prizes Europa Nostra Diploma,
Civic Trust Commendation,
Glasgow Institute of Architects Special Award,
Scottish Award for Quality in Planning,
Dynamic Place Award,
Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors Commendation

St Andrew's in the Square is an 18th-century category-A-listed[1] former church in Glasgow, Scotland, considered one of the finest classical churches in Britain,[2] and now Glasgow's Centre for Scottish Culture, promoting Scottish music, song and dance. The church is located in St Andrew's Square, near Glasgow Cross and Glasgow Green, on the edge of the City's East End.

History

The church, inspired by St Martin-in-the-Fields in London,[2] was built between 1739 and 1756 by Master Mason Mungo Naismith, and designed by Allan Dreghorn.[3] While construction of it was started before the nearby St. Andrew's-by-the-Green, it was completed after, making it either the third or fourth oldest church in Glasgow, depending on criterion. The earlier two buildings were Glasgow Cathedral and the Trongate steeple. It was the first Presbyterian church built after the Reformation, and was commissioned by the city's Tobacco Lords as a demonstration of their wealth and power.[2]

The church was enclosed by a later square, built by William Hamilton between 1786 and 1787,[4] which became fashionable homes for some of Glasgow's wealthiest merchants. The migration of the city westwards throughout the 19th century, however, resulted in a gradual slumming of the area and a dwindling congregation. The church was last used for a religious service in June 1993.[3]

St Andrew's has played its part in Scottish history; in December 1745, before the church's completion, the Jacobite army, led by Bonnie Prince Charlie, camped around the site, and within its semi-built walls, on its return from their failed invasion of England, and on 23 November 1785, huge crowds of Glaswegians gathered to watch Vincenzo Lunardi take off from the churchyard in a hot air balloon on a flight which took him south-east to Hamilton and Lanark, before eventually landing in Hawick.[2] Agnes MClehose (née Craig) married her husband James McLehose in the church in 1776. Agnes is better known as Clarinda whose love letters to Robert Burns under the name Sylvander inspired him to write 'Ae Fond Kiss' for her.

Renovation

At the congregation's request, the church was acquired from them by the Glasgow Building Preservation Trust in October 1993 for the sum of £1. The Trust has since renovated the building, transforming it into a Centre for Traditional Scottish Music, Song and Dance. Victorian additions to the building have been removed, restoring the church's original light and airy feel, while a 4-5 metre deep excavation of the floor produced a basement cafe as well as dressing rooms, rehearsal space and toilets. The building was officially opened to the public on 30 November 2000; St. Andrew's Day.[2][3]

Awards

The renovation of St Andrew's in the Square has won the following awards:[3]

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Listed Building Report". Historic Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 "St Andrew's in the Square". Gazetteer for Scotland. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "St Andrews in the Square". Glasgow Buildings Preservation Trust. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
  4. ↑ "St Andrews in the Square Church : Information + Images". Glasgow Architecture. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
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